Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Inaugural Ceremony
February 12, 2008
Music was very important to President Lincoln throughout his life. In his new piece, "Lincoln at Ease," – and written for Lincoln's Bicentennial – composer Peter Schickele remarked:
"It has been said that Lincoln had more music in his White House than did any other president before or since. He frequented the opera house as well as the music hall, and he installed an old friend on his staff who was always ready to sing or play for him. Sometimes he would wander from the White House to one of the street encampments set up by former slaves who had drifted north after the Emancipation Proclamation."
In recognition of Lincoln's love of music, planners of the February 12th inaugural ceremony integrated a number of musical pieces into the program. Saxton's Cornet Band, the American Spiritual Ensemble, and soprano Angela Brown were all scheduled to perform. Hear selections of their music by clicking on the links below.
Angela Brown
Angela Brown is a leading American soprano who has performed at the world’s leading opera houses, including the New York City Metropolitan Opera. She made her debut in the fall 2004 season in the title role of Verdi’s Aida. Angela Brown has traveled the globe performing in several distinguished productions, which include Tosca, Il Trovatore, Don Carlo, and Porgy and Bess. She recently appeared in the premiere of Richard Danielpour’s opera Margaret Garner, which is based on Toni Morrison’s best-selling novel Beloved. In 2004, Brown released a recording of African-American spirituals titled Mosaic. Brown has also performed with the acclaimed American Spiritual Ensemble.
For more information, visit: http://www.angelambrown.com/
Musical selections coming soon.
Saxton's Cornet Band
Recognized nationally as the premiere brass band, Saxton’s Cornet Band embodies the historical style and energetic sounds of a Civil War era brass ensemble. First established by Henry Saxton during the antebellum period, the band was reorganized in 1989 to preserve and recreate the concert experience of nearly 150 years ago.
Each performance historically reflects the mid-nineteenth century spirit with animated music, dramatic readings and period humor.
Featured regularly at the Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, KY, Saxton’s Cornet Band has also performed at National Park Service sites around the country including Gettysburg National Military Park. In 2001, the band performed during President Bush's inaugural.
Listen:
Learn more about Saxton's Cornet Band >>>
American Spiritual Ensemble
Critically acclaimed and internationally recognized, the American Spiritual Ensemble features a dynamic group of vocalists dedicated to preserving American Negro spirituals. Performances have featured opera, jazz and Broadway renditions highlighting the black experience.
Everett McCorvey founded the American Spiritual Ensemble in 1995. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, McCorvey received his doctorate in musical arts from the University of Alabama. Before organizing the ensemble, McCorvey performed the world over including the Kennedy Center, the New York Metropolitan Opera, Radio City Music Hall, as well as performances in England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Dr. McCorvey is a faculty member at the American Institute of Musical Study in Graz, Austria, and is the director of opera at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
Muscial selections coming soon.
